Morgan May Find It Tough To Repeat History

Volleyball notebook

November 09, 1994|By KEVIN F. HAYES; Courant Staff Writer

His team is on the cusp of history, but Morgan-Clinton coach Joe Grippo isn't thinking about the past. His only concern is the present.

``I try not to think too much about what we did in the past because I don't think anybody really cares. Just because we won in 1990 doesn't mean we're going to win in '94,'' Grippo said. ``For right now, we're just trying to take care of '94 and survive this tournament.''

If Morgan does survive and win the rigorous CIAC Class S tournament, the Huskies would become only the second team to win three in a row and four overall. Trinity Catholic-Stamford (formerly known as Stamford Catholic) is the only other school with four Class S titles (1983-85, '88).

``I was not aware of that, but it is something to shoot for,'' Grippo said. ``It would be great recognition for the program and for the kids, but we've got to take care of one at a time first.''

Top-seeded Morgan (17-1), which begins its title defense with a quarterfinal against Plainville Thursday, won its first championship in 1990 and has been to the final every year since. The only bump in Morgan's run came in 1991, when Shoreline Conference rival Haddam-Killingworth won the final, 3-0. Morgan avenged that loss last year, defeating H-K 3-0 to win its third title.

H-K and Morgan split two matches this year and since the beginning of the season, many predicted the teams would once again meet in the final. H-K (17-1) is seeded second in the tournament and coach Rich Langer has all six starters back from last year. Other teams to watch in the Class S tournament include third- seeded Gilbert-Winsted (17-1), No. 4 Barlow-Redding (15-3) and No. 5 Enfield (14-3). Of that group, Barlow might be the most ready to challenge Morgan. Barlow's only losses were to defending Class M champion Darien, the No. 1 team in The Courant's coaches poll.

A look at the other classes:

Class L

Defending champion Glastonbury (18-0) is seeded second behind seven-time state champion Amity- Woodbridge (19-1). The Tomahawks, who defeated Amity 3-0 in the championship match last year to win their first state title, have won 40 matches in a row.

Glastonbury coach Diane Pintavalle has done a masterful job of keeping her team on top after graduating All-State hitter Missy Roy. With senior hitters Leah Whynacht and Liz Plikaitis and junior Laurie LaBleu, Glastonbury's offense has been dominant. Glastonbury's path to the final will not be easy. The Tomahawks open the tournament against a strong Southington team Thursday in Glastonbury and then would meet Danbury or Greenwich in the quarterfinal. The semifinals could produce a rematch with perennial power and third-seeded Maloney- Meriden (17-1). The good news for Glastonbury is, the Tomahawks defeated Maloney 3-0 this season.

Class M

Can anybody beat Darien? Through 45 matches and nearly two full seasons, the answer has been no.

Darien has been the top-ranked team since the beginning of the season and has responded to the challenge. An undefeated regular season was followed by an FCIAC tournament title. Now coach Laurie LaRusso's team can focus on the big prize: another state title.

Darien (21-0) has the necessary talent and experience, but LaRusso said nothing is certain once the tournament begins. ``When you start overlooking an opponent, that's usually when you don't do well,'' she said. ``I've seen too many teams look too far ahead and I don't want to fall victim to that.''

Darien's powerful offense has made victims of opposing teams all year -- despitethe graduation of All-State hitter Vail Weymann. But with fellow All-Stater Jeana Tighe, outside hitter Alex Weymann and setter Chiara Ghirardini picking up the slack, the top-seeded Blue Wave have remained one of the top power teams in the state.

E.O. Smith-Storrs (18-0) is back for another run at a championship as the second seed. The Panthers were undefeated and seeded second last year before losing to Guilford 3- 0 in the semifinals. E.O. Smith could face some difficult early-round matches with third-seeded Lauralton Hall-Milford (17-2), Sacred Heart-Hamden (13-5) and Bristol Central (12-5) in its bracket. One of the most exciting matchups could come in the semifinals of the upper bracket, between Darien and fourth-seeded St. Joseph- Trumbull (16-2). Darien ended the Cadets' two-year run as Class M champions in the semifinals last season and defeated them 3-0 this season.